With the ever present threat of the Zika virus growing in Florida private businesses are starting to offer to test. Labs like My Test Diagnostics in South Fort Myers has been testing for the virus since they opened in August. Now they have been approved for the same testing being offered at Florida health departments.

It’s available for men and women of all ages, but it comes at a cost.

“It’s a fairly new test and it has been emergency released by the CDC for testing,” said My Test Diagnostics owner Sabine Mueller. Her company is one of the few private labs approved for the test.

For the last month, they’ve been testing for the immune response to the virus, a test that can cost anywhere from $99-$230.

“I do think that we can be valuable in the Zika epidemic,” said clinical laboratory scientist Erin Cook. “There are many different types of antibodies and that’s how we can distinguish if you’ve just been infected with Zika virus.”Wednesday the lab was also approved to test for the virus itself, which will cost just under $290.

“I do believe the prices could go down if more requests are there,” Mueller said. “But I have seen other prices for up to $800.”Some families said that high cost could give them answers or peace of mind.

“I mean it couldn’t hurt,” said Heather Edlebeck of Fort Myers, “better safe than sorry.”Results take about four to eight days to get back because the blood is shipped to a lab out of state.

“This testing is regulated to only a few states and national laboratories,” Mueller said.If the results are positive the lab will recommend you meet with a doctor or specialist.

My Test Diagnostics said they will take walk-ins or appointments. They said they aren’t trying to cause panic about the virus, but they hope to educate the community.